Improvement in slat-irons for buggy-tops



UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

ANSON L. WARBURTON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SLAT-IRONS FOR BUGGY-TOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,105, dated August 11, 1874; application filed May 18, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANsoN L. WARBURTON, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Slat-Irons for Carriages, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of slatirons for falling top carriages, in which a socket is provided for the reception of the end of the slat; the objects of my invention being to secure increased strength and durability, and to reduce the cost of the article. These objects I attain by constructing each slat-iron A of cast metal with a permanent socket, a, forming part of the iron, for the reception of the extreme end of the slat B, and with a flat portion, b, above the said socket, to which the slat can be secured by screws or rivets, all as shown in the exterior view, Figure 1, and sec tional view, Fig. 2, of the accompanying drawing.

Attempts have been made to overcome the objections to ordinary slat-irons by forming lips on opposite edges of the irons to be bent partially around the slats in securingthe latter; but these lips add to the cost of the irons, as they must be of wrought metal, and they are liable to be bent back, and to thus release the slats another objection being that they present abrupt edges and corners, and thus interfere materially with the covering of the slats and irons with leather.

In some instances independent thimbles or sockets have been fitted, without being secured, to the iron; but these are objectionable from the expense of forming and fitting the socket, and from the fact that it is difficult to bring the end of the slat to a firm bearing upon the iron.

I have found that I can effectually overcome the above objections by forming a short socket, (it, upon the flat face of the slat-iron, for the reception of the extreme end only of the slat or bow B, and by securing the latter to the upper flat portion b of the iron by screws or rivets d, as best observed in Fig. 2.

The socket effectually prevents the splitting of the end of the slat, and sustains the latter, and thus reduces the strain upon the fasteningscrew. It is also made of the same shape as the end of the slat, which is rabbeted at the point where it enters the said socket, so that a perfectly flush joint is-secured, and the presence of the socket is not noticeable when the whole is covered with leather, as-usual.

As the socket is cast with and forms part of the iron, the latter can be made at a comparatively small cost, there are no unsightly joints, while the end of the slat is brought closely and securely to its position.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A slat-iron, provided with a socket, a, cast with and forming part of the iron, and with a flat portion, 12, extending above the socket, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my WM. A. STEEL, HARRY SMITH. 

